Sapphire FallsGoing For It

by Marilyn Brant

  Her aunt and Bernadette exchanged a glance too cryptic for Tina to identify. It was part surprise, part speculation, and part something else—all cloaked in utter silence. Huh.

  Trevor’s grandmother was the first to speak. “Why, Debbie, that sounds like a very nice idea, doesn’t it?” she said with a noticeably bland tone, one devoid of her usual zeal. Tina squinted at her.

  And then her aunt shrugged in a show of indifference that was completely perplexing. “Yep. Fine with me,” Aunt Debbie said, just bobbing her head—first at Trevor, then at Tina. “Looks like it might rain.”

  What the heck was going on? Not a single question asked? No attempt at matchmaking? None of the typical nod-nod-wink-wink insinuations from either of these women? That was grossly out of character for them both. It wasn’t possible that they were letting her and Trevor off this easily. Or that they didn’t want to interfere (as usual) in her love life.

  However, neither her aunt nor Trevor’s grandmother uttered a single suggestive word as she and Trev gathered their things and left the house. Tina was too stunned to speak.

  Trevor only said, “Thanks,” to Aunt Debbie. “Nice seeing you again.” Then he kissed Bernadette on the cheek. “Be back in just a little while, Gram,” he added, “so we can catch up for a bit before I have to go. No need to miss your bridge game, okay?”

  Bernadette smiled. “Okay.” Then she glanced at her watch and almost apathetically waved them off.

  Trevor waited until they were seated in his compact car before turning to her. “Did that seem weird to you, too?”

  “Weird as in too normal? With no teasing commentary and no meddling?”

  He nodded.

  “Incredibly.”

  “So, it wasn’t just me then...?”

  Tina shook her head.

  He shot a nervous look back at his grandmother’s house but, nevertheless, started the ignition and put his car in gear.

  As they began the drive to downtown Sapphire Falls, he added, “Why do I get the feeling that—rain or no rain—this is the calm before the storm?”

  Chapter Two

  The Come Again was hopping when they entered. Given that it was Saturday, it was only going to get busier as afternoon turned into evening. Trevor felt lucky to be able to grab an unoccupied corner table inside the bar.

  Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets” was playing, which immediately put him into a bluesy mood. He caught Tina Marie swaying to the music, and they shared a grin along with a few “B-B-B-Bennie”s.

  “So, tell me more about your Nashville plans. Do you know anyone there? Someone who can show you around?”

  She nodded. “My friend Anji from college has an apartment right in town. She said I could crash on her sofa for a few weeks until I got my bearings. She’s great.”

  “Sounds like it. Is she a musician as well?”

  “Nope. A pediatrician.”

  His eyes widened. “Really? So you don’t have anybody there who’s got an in on the music scene?”

  She shook her head. “Afraid not. But I’m going to see if I can get a few local gigs at country bars where the industry execs and talent scouts go. Maybe I’ll get lucky and one of the studio people will give me his card. Or maybe I’ll meet someone who can introduce me to someone who knows someone...”

  He admired her sense of initiative. Her willingness to take emotional risks for the passion she loved. It wasn’t that common of a quality, he’d discovered.

  “You got guts, Ms. Moran. Hope I’ll be hearing from my grandmother that you snagged a recording contract soon.”

  She laughed. “I hope that, too—“

  “Why, Tina Marie Moran!” a bar waitress who was circling the room interrupted. “What are you doing hiding in this little corner? And who’s your...um, studly friend?” The bar waitress eyed him up and down with no attempt to disguise her scrutiny.

  Even with the slightly dimmer lighting, Trevor could see Tina’s blush. “Allie Kendrick, this is Trevor Cayne, Bernadette’s grandson. He’s just passing through town and wanted to visit the Come Again.”

  “Well, hello there, Trevor,” Allie said, breaking into a thousand-watt grin and flipping her fluffy blond hair across her shoulders. Then, to Tina, “Good for you, girlfriend. Now, what can I get you two to drink?”

  They ordered a couple of bottled beers and watched as Allie blew them both a kiss and sauntered away. Trevor had hoped they’d be able to return to their conversation, especially since Tina Marie seemed suddenly more self conscious than she had on the drive over. But no sooner had they gotten their beers than a steady stream of interruptions effectively kept them from talking to each other.

  First it was a guy named Mike, who told Tina to say hi to her uncle Carl from him. Then it was one of the Bennett brothers—Tucker?—who made some wisecrack about the “reading material” at the Sassy Sapphirettes Book Club.

  And then it was one of the bar owners—Mary something—who said she’d heard from Gram that the two of them were stopping by.

  “My grandmother called you?” he asked.

  Mary shook her head. “Of course not. She texted.” She turned to Tina. “So, we’ve got Open Mic here on Thursday night. You’re gonna sing for us, aren’t you?”

  Tina Marie scrunched up her nose. “I wish I could, but I’m planning to head out to Tennessee on Wednesday morning.”

  “You’re not going to stay in Sapphire Falls for the whole festival?” She stared at Tina as if this were an appalling and nearly incomprehensible idea.

  “Don’t think so, but I’ll be back to visit. I promise.” She let out a soft but shaky sigh, drained the rest of her beer, and then smiled at the woman. But to Trevor’s eye, it looked forced.

  “Hey,” Trevor said, hoping he read her reaction right, “we should probably go, huh? I gotta hit the road soon.”

  The look of gratitude on the beautiful redhead’s face told him that he’d guessed correctly. Something was up, and she wanted out. He paid for their drinks and hustled her to his car.

  “So,” he said, hands on the steering wheel but going nowhere in the parking lot, “what’s the real story? Everyone who came up to us seemed to really like you, but with every new person who stopped by, you looked more and more anxious to leave. Why?”

  “Sapphire Falls is a small town, Trevor. It’s wonderful in many, many ways...but everyone knows everyone’s business here. And, honestly, I just can’t take the pity in people’s eyes anymore.”

  Pity? For what demented reason could anyone possibly pity this beautiful woman? He told her this.

  She broke into a smile, but then sadly shook her head. “So, apparently your grandmother neglected to mention my broken engagement, my cheating ex-fiancé, and my scummy former best friend?”

  He swallowed. “No, she didn’t. But tell me—” He reached out to lightly cover her hand with his. “Who are these bloody fools who hurt you? I want to know their names.”

  “David and Lori,” she murmured.

  “Well, David and Lori deserve to have...really nasty things written about them in a gossip tabloid. And I actually know a couple of writers who work for disreputable publications such as these. Want me to leak some especially unflattering details about them? Bet you got some.”

  At this, Tina Marie burst out laughing. “Thank you. I mean, no need to go to the tabloids, however tempting, but thank you for saying the absolutely perfect thing and not looking at me like I’m a sad case. I can’t tell you how rare that is.”

  “Hey, I’m not lying about your ex and your former friend being fools, Tina Marie. I’ve only known you for a few hours, and even I can see you’re someone to treasure.”

  She flipped her hand over and squeezed his. His heart clenched right along with his fingers.

  “Thanks, Trevor. You’re a sweet-talking stranger, but I appreciate your kind words regardless.”

  “I mean them.”

  She shrugged. “Perhaps you do. It was very nice to meet you today, but I kn
ow you have to get going for real. If you ever make it to Nashville—”

  “I’ll look you up. And if you’re ever up in the Chicagoland area—”

  “I’ll come visit you in Mirabelle Harbor,” she said. “Maybe we’ll be able to have a drink for an hour, uninterrupted.”

  “I’d like that.” They exchanged cell phone numbers and she gave him directions to her aunt and uncle’s house.

  He let the car idle in their driveway. She turned toward him and he leaned in to give her a light kiss on her cheek.

  But her skin was so soft and warm and...he couldn’t stop at just one. So he kissed her again, very gently at the corner of her mouth. A peck followed by another peck.

  And then she kissed him back.

  And, suddenly, these were no longer pecks. They were no longer soft, light, or remotely gentle.

  They ignited into hard, hot, hungry kisses. The kind that steamed up his car windows. The kind that made his whole body ache to touch her. The kind that had him reordering his priorities in a heartbeat.

  They broke apart, both gasping for air. Somehow, he managed to whisper, “You’ve got me rethinking how much I want to leave here tonight.”

  She wore a look of stunned disbelief. “I know. This is really...funny.” She shook her head and then kissed him again.

  When they broke apart next, he said, “Funny like ha-ha, or funny like strange?”

  “Both.” She paused. Studied his face. “You’re really good at kissing.”

  “Everyone has their talents.”

  She grinned. “Don’t be modest. You actually make me wish we could see where this goes and, given my recent relationship history, I can’t express how much that surprises me. But—” She let the thought drop.

  Trevor picked it up. “But...you’ve got your plans and I’ve got mine. We’re like comets heading in different directions.”

  “It’s the price we pay for following our dreams,” she murmured.

  “Yeah,” he said. “And it’s a steep price tonight because you have me daydreaming about hanging out with you in Sapphire Falls until you have to go to Nashville.”

  They kissed one last time—longer, harder, more intensely. Every cell in Trevor’s body screamed to keep her close to him. Not to let her pull away. But she did.

  “Goodnight, Trevor Cayne. You go get that big story.”

  “Goodnight, Tina Marie Moran. You give ‘em hell in Music City.”

  And with one last hug, she stepped out of his fogged up car and raced into the house.

  He had to wait until he could see out of his windows again before driving back to Gram’s house. Somehow—after that kiss—the book club meeting felt like two years ago.

  As it was, it was later than he’d intended to stay out. The time with Tina just flew...and it had been nowhere near long enough.

  “Oh, you’re back,” his grandmother said sweetly. “Good. I was holding dinner for you.”

  “You didn’t have to do that, Gram.”

  “Aren’t you hungry? C’mon, I made my famous meatloaf. You have to have a slice.”

  Bernadette Cayne was famous for more than one recipe and, admittedly, Trevor had missed that meatloaf. Also, bridge game or not, he was feeling a tad guilty that he hadn’t been with his grandmother for longer than the book-club meeting. After being introduced to Tina Marie, he apparently needed to remind himself that Gram was, in fact, the reason he’d stopped by Sapphire Falls in the first place. It wasn’t so he could meet cute babes.

  Although that had been a hell of an amazing perk.

  Gram ushered him into the kitchen and pointed him to a chair. “Sit. Eat something. And tell me a little about this project that has you road-tripping all the way to Colorado Springs.”

  So Trevor sat, dug into the generous portion of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans that his grandmother had set before him, and gave her the details of the Olympic committee and athlete interviews he had planned.

  It wasn’t until he was almost finished with his meal that he realized two unusual things:

  1. There was something different about the meatloaf this time, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

  2. His grandmother hadn’t once mentioned the gorgeous redhead he’d spent the afternoon with, which was really out of character.

  He decided he’d work backwards. “So,” he said, “your friend’s niece, Tina Marie, is quite nice.” And incredibly hot. “I enjoyed talking with her.” And making out with her like a horny teenager.

  Gram smiled vacuously. “I’m glad to hear that, dear. She’s a sweetie but—” she shrugged. “She’s leaving town in a few days as well. Too bad you don’t have more time to spend with her, if you enjoyed her company, but that’s life, right?”

  Whoa. That was an indifferent response. Almost...dismissive. Didn’t Gram like Tina?

  Before he could ask that, he felt an odd sensation in his stomach. A queasiness that only happened when—oh, crap.

  “Uh, Gram? Are there onions in here?” He pointed at the meatloaf.

  “In my famous meatloaf? No, of course not. But, oh!” His grandmother covered her mouth with her palm and looked guiltily at him. “I forgot. There are pureed onions in the new sauce. So sorry, Trevor. Is that going to upset your tummy?”

  His “tummy” was going to be upset, yes, but not nearly as much as his temper. Since when did Gram “forget” about his reaction to onions? He’d just seen her at Easter a couple of months ago and that woman remembered the medical history, allergies, food sensitivities, and hospitalizations of every single family member, going back half a century at least.

  Nothing said “suspicious” more than Bernadette Cayne faking a memory lapse.

  But he knew what was behind this sudden amnesia the minute she said, “You’d better stay tonight, dearie, and get an early start tomorrow morning instead, when you’re fresh. A full night’s rest will do you good.”

  Of course it would.

  And she probably just wanted her grandson’s company for a bit longer. He could understand that and appreciate the love behind it. Even if it meant he’d need to pop half a roll of Tums tonight.

  “Okay, Gram. Thanks,” he said, knowing it was the wisest course.

  After giving his stomach an hour to settle, he figured he might as well make the best of his night in the guest bedroom (his dad’s old room), doing a few easy chores for his grandmother around the house, and even agreeing to watch one of her favorite movies with her, The Proposal.

  “I just love that Betty White,” she gushed.

  Trevor didn’t say this aloud, but Gram had always reminded him of the white-haired actress, and especially the character she was playing in this particular movie role.

  “The way Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock finally realized their feelings for each other—oh!” Gram hugged herself and gave a happy sigh. “So cute. It might not have been the relationship either of them had expected, but it was just perfect, wasn’t it?”

  “You’re a true romantic, Gram,” he said with a laugh. “But, yes, it was perfect.”

  “They were both editors. Involved in the world of writing and publishing, just like you, Trev. I was impressed by the way they followed their dreams but stayed flexible to possibilities when their circumstances changed.”

  Trevor grinned. “What are you saying, Gram? That I need to be more flexible?”

  “Oh, no. I’m just talking about people in general. I’ve seen you be flexible before. Like during college...”

  She let that thought trail off because, well, it was unnecessary to belabor the point. He hadn’t gotten to continue playing basketball after all of his injuries, but he had discovered a love of writing. It’d been a welcome gift at a needed time.

  “That’s true,” he admitted.

  “Sometimes we’re not quite ready for something that we think we’re ready for. Sometimes something better comes along than what we were hoping for, but we don’t recognize it right away because it isn’t what we were
expecting. We all gotta stay open to possibilities, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  They chatted for a while longer but, finally, Trevor knew he’d better get some sleep if he was going to be rising early. Gram told him she’d be going to bed soon, too. She just had a few little tasks to finish up first.

  He fell asleep within minutes of his head hitting the pillow, and woke the next morning to the scent of freshly brewed coffee and buttered toast.

  “Good morning, Gram,” he said, rubbing his eyes and kissing her on the forehead. “You didn’t have to get up to make me breakfast.”

  “It was my pleasure, dearie,” she said, but she looked tired.

  “Did you sleep okay?”

  She shrugged but still smiled cheerfully. “Not as well as usual, perhaps, but I’m fine.” She wrapped her floral robe around her a bit tighter and poured them both some coffee.

  It was nearly eight a.m. Time for him to finish his coffee, get dressed, grab a piece of toast with some strawberry jam, a banana to go, and be on his way. Colorado was calling.

  “Well, I’ll be heading out in just a few minutes, but if you’d like, I’d love to stop by later in the week on my return trip. Just to take you out to lunch or dinner or something.” He squeezed her tight. He loved his Gram. “I’m not sure how long everything is going to take in Colorado Springs, but I’m thinking maybe Thursday night or Friday I could be back. Would one of those work for you?”

  “I’m sure I can pencil you into my schedule, Trev.” Then she giggled like a little girl. “It’s so fun having you around here again. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.” She walked him out to his car. “Drive safe now!”

  He tossed his belongings in the backseat. “I will, Gram.”

  Trevor turned the ignition key and...nothing. What the hell?

  He tried to start the car again and it made only a clicking sound, but the engine didn’t catch.

  No. Freaking. Way.

  “Is there a problem, Trev?” his grandmother asked.

  He glanced at her. She looked concerned although, perhaps, not entirely surprised. Hmm.

  “Seems to be,” he replied, jumping out of his seemingly dead vehicle, lifting the hood, and staring at the mechanical parts underneath. Panic washed over him like a tidal wave. He didn’t know a damn thing about cars.